SAVAHCS, Sterile Processing Service (SPS). SAVAHCS is a 1B facility in the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 22, composed of a highly complex integrated healthcare system including multiple Operating Room (OR) specialties, a full-service Dental clinic, as well as other specialty clinics such as Cardiology, Dermatology, ENT, Podiatry, Optometry/Ophthalmology, Radiology, Respiratory, Speech Pathology, Medicine, Surgical, and Women's clinics.
Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience. Six months of experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work or provides an understanding of the work; or Education. One year above high school that included at least 6 semester hours in health care related courses such as sterile processing, nursing assistant, hospital corpsman, and operating room and surgical technician courses or other courses related to the position; or Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combination of experience and education are qualifying for entry level for which both education and experience are acceptable. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) GS-05: Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level; OR Education. Four academic years above high school leading to a Bachelor's degree with at least 12 semester hours in courses related to the occupation or a Bachelor's degree. In addition to the experience above, must be able to demonstrate the following KSAs:1. Basic knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.2. Basic knowledge of event-related packaging in regards to sterility.3. Knowledge of sterilization and cleaning equipment. GS-06: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05). In addition to the experience above, must be able to demonstrate the following KSAs:1. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in operating rooms and clinic settings.2. Knowledge of universal precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination.3. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions and procedures.4. Knowledge of sterility principles in regards to instrumentation.5. Ability to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Preferred Experience: Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) experience References: VA Handbook 5005/83, Part II, Appendix G47, Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing) Qualification Standard, GS-0622, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing and walking during the entire workday with frequent bending and lifting of sterile packages and containers averaging 25 lbs. before and after sterilization or high-level disinfection. The work requires dexterity and visual acuity for manipulation, disassembly and assembly of instrumentation. Physical demands include bending, twisting, stooping, extending arms, lifting of heavy objects such as instrument trays to and from shelf heights ranging from 8 inches above floor level up 18 inches below ceiling height. Use of a safety step stool or safety step ladder is required to reach work area and equipment surfaces higher than what the employee can reach unaided (i.e., standing on the floor). Pushing and pulling of loaded sterilizer carts, transport carts, and surgical case carts is required. The incumbent must be able to tolerate standing for prolonged periods of time, wearing impervious personal protective equipment (PPE), and higher ambient temperatures in the presence of heat-generating equipment. The incumbent must be able to tolerate ambient noise from reprocessing equipment and activities, and odors from contaminated RME and reprocessing agents. On a regular basis the employee alternates between the clean, controlled environment of the preparation, sterilization, high-level disinfection, and sterile storage areas and the contaminated environment of the decontamination area. The incumbent must comply with attire and PPE requirements to protect RME undergoing preparation, high-level disinfection, or sterilization from contaminants, and to protect oneself from biohazards such as blood, body fluids, and tissues. The incumbent must also comply with PPE requirements or other controls designed for protection against hot surfaces and chemical agents used during cleaning, decontamination, high-level disinfection, and sterilization.
Major duties include but are not limited to: This position is in Sterile Processing Service (SPS) as a Medical Supply Technician (MST). In this position, incumbent performs decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, and sterilization of critical and semi-critical reusable medical equipment (RME). Duties also include assembly of surgical case carts for the Operating Room, retrieval and delivery of RME and maintenance of the work environment in accordance with VHA directives and memoranda governing operations in SPS. This position requires current or previous sterile processing experience. Complete Sterile Processing Service (SPS) Level 1 training within 90 days of hire. Participate in continuing education (i.e., computer based training and in-service education sessions) to maintain SPS Level 1 certification. Maintain knowledge of the department's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which document the processes and procedures for the cleaning, decontamination, preparation, high-level disinfection, sterilization, and storage of the RME appropriate to this position. Maintain competency in all reprocessing activities. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the KSAs below: Knowledge of standard precautions for safety and prevention of cross contamination. Knowledge of surgical instruments used in the operating room and clinic settings. Working knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, medical conditions, and procedure. Knowledge of sterility principles regarding instrumentation. Knowledge of sterilization, high-level disinfection, and cleaning equipment. Knowledge of event-related sterility as it pertains to RME packaging and storage. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing, and to read and interpret written instructions and procedures. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 1000-1730, 1500-2330, OR 2300-0730 (Shifts May Vary) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required